Guildhall

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A 5 bay long former Presbyterian Church, gabled and slated. A lean-to extension has been added to its roadside elevation for its full length. Modern type windows added after the buildings use changed to lecture hall including Velux windows in roof. It is smooth rendered and painted white. It has little architectural interest but is of some historical note.

It is set at the back of the footwalk in New Street and parallel to it. It retains a pair of large square sandstone gate piers which contrast with the present adapted appearance of the building.

Historical information

This building was first used as a Presbyterian Church on 1 Nov. 1840 though it was not officially opened until 2 years later on 16 Oct. 1842. It was known as the Dungiven 2nd Presbyterian Congregation which was formed in 1839. They used the Market Ho. in Main Street for services until the new building was completed. 1st and 2nd Dungiven Congregation eventually merged on 1st March 1849 when Rev. Thomas Heron became minister. The combined congregations struggled to overcome the debts of their building ventures and in the 1860s the building was sold to the Skinners Co. There was a proposal in 1875 that the old church building he transformed to a manse, an idea not proceeded with. The old church was repurchased from the Skinners Co around 1880s when it was converted to a church hall. It has been used as a Shirt Factory in the interim by Adam Hogg of City Factory in Derry c 1882-90 and then became known as the Lecture Hall and later the Guildhall. It was renovated in 1980 by voluntary labour at a cost of £10,000.

References

Primary Sources
O.S. map 1832 Rev. 1856 Londonderry sh. 24
O.S. map Dungiven 1859 Vol. map 60” to 1 ml. Val. 20/5/12

Secondary Sources
Mullen The Presbytery of Limavady p.93 – 105
Bunn Dungiven Days 1978 p. 36, 37
Thompson & Young Presbyterianism in Dungiven 1835-1986 p.33

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

The Presbyterian Church hall, which was the former 2nd Dungiven Congregation’s Church doesn't have any architectural interest apart from the large stone built gate piers. It is of local and social interest particularly to the Presbyterian Congregation of Dungiven.